Swamp buttercup Ranunculus macropus

Key Features

  • A succulent, sparingly branched herb, creeping across mud and rooting at the nodes, or floating in water. Leaves are deeply cut into 3-5 lobes. Flowers are 1-2 cm diameter with yellow or greenish petals. Leaves and flowers are borne on stalks, up to 50 cm long for leaves but shorter (to 15 cm) for flowers. Each flower develops into a small (5-6 mm diameter), many-seeded head.

Distribution and Habitat

  • North Island south to Otago, in lowland slow-flowing streams, ponds and wet ground.

Threats

  • Habitat modification and loss through drainage, infilling, siltation and trampling of wetlands.

Management Opportunities

  • Survey for new locations.
  • Mark known sites.
  • Protection of habitat.
  • Avoid modification of wetlands in which this species occurs.

Monitoring Options

  • Check existing populations annually.
  • Report new locations to DOC and NZPCN.

Further Information and Support

  • New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN). http://www.nzpcn.org.nz
  • References:
    • Johnson, P.N. & Brooke, P.A. (1989). Wetland plants in New Zealand. DSIR Publishing, Wellington.